Current Build: Reclaimed Poker Table

Poker Table Build: This build involves old Oak Pallets I purchased from a wood recycling plant near my home.  I removed all of the nails, staples, and any other hardware.

The challenges with this project involve cutting the lumber to the proper dimensions, but not leaving any fresh sawn surfaces showing.  The reclaimed lumber by its very nature is not perfectly dimensional and has many imperfections. Therefore, most of the joints have to be custom cut to the size of each end of the lumber being inserted into the joint.  I attempt to secure all of my joints using to mediums. (IE glue, hardware, dowels, and biscuits)

I generally hate the use of plywood and try to keep my projects as close to 100% reclaimed wood as possible.  However,  this project requires perfectly flat surfaces that will ultimately be covered with suited speed cloth.  As a result, plywood will be used as a base for the table top and the playing area.

Afterwards,  I made a base out of larger pieces and cut out grooves for joints at the top.

I plan on doing some form of storage for the poker set, but have not yet worked out the details.  More often then not,  my project plans changes as the build is going, as the wood tends to crack and certain imperfections in the wood force me to make modifications.

I try to use pieces even if they crack or break.  This is for two reasons, the first is I hate to waste wood.  The second reason is that, while I can get more,  the lumber is often wet and requires a lot of time to dry out before I can use it.  Often times, 6 months or more because I do not own a kiln.

My original plans call for a 10 person table with cubbies for poker chips and a drink at each players spot.  This originally called for 2' spots, but the math doesn't work out, as I was trying to use 4x8 sheets of plywood

As of today,  I have completed the legs and all of the joints in the top of the table.  I will be using pocket hole joinery, glue, and dowels at each of the posts.  I had to order more pocket hole screws so the project is at a stand still.